Exercise Linked to Men's Sexual Function, Regardless of Race

(HealthDay News) — Men who exercise the most have higher sexual function scores, regardless of race, according to research published online March 20 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

For the study, 295 men provided information about their physical activity levels and their ability to have erections and orgasms, the quality and frequency of erections, and their overall sexual function. Men who exercised the most – as measured by metabolic equivalents – had higher sexual function scores, regardless of race.

Specifically, the researchers found that better sex was reported by those who engaged in the equivalent of two hours of strenuous exercise, 3.5 hours of moderate exercise, or six hours of light exercise a week. Men who exercised less had lower sexual function scores. Other factors associated with lower sexual function included diabetes, older age, past or current smoking, and coronary artery disease.

While previous studies have identified a link between exercise and erectile function, that research tended to focus on white men, the authors said. "This study is the first to link the benefits of exercise in relation to improved erectile and sexual function in a racially diverse group of patients," study senior author Adriana Vidal, PhD, of the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Los Angeles, said in an institute news release.